Tusla to invest an additional €5m into its Family Resource Centre Programme

Tusla – Child and Family Agency will be investing an additional €5.0m into its Family Resource Centre Programme between now and the end of 2018.

This includes additional once off funding to centres between now and the end of 2017, further increases in funding to existing centres next year and the expansion of the Programme to include an additional 11 new centres.

The funding available falls into a number of categories:

• €2.120m to fund small works and the upgrading of equipment in existing FRCs before the end of this year
• €1.76m to set up and support 11 new FRCs in 2018
• Subject to centres satisfying certain criteria, it is intended that additional funding of up to €10,000 will be made available to each of the existing 109 FRCs for operational requirements including staffing.

A total of €16.37 million will be invested next year by Tusla into the Programme which is an increase of 21% over 2017. Communities and Family Resource Centres are encouraged to consider how additional investment might benefit their communities in line with Tusla’s priorities and applications for additional funding are invited from today.

The announcement was jointly made by Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone and the Chief Executive of Tusla, Mr. Fred McBride, during a visit to Kilnamanagh Family Resource Centre in Tallaght, Dublin. 

Minister Zappone said:  “Family Resource Centres are impacting on the lives of children and youth, their families and their communities every day. I have seen the value of this work first hand as I travelled around the country.”

Vibrant and strong centres are working with local people of all ages. Community childcare services, youth clubs, education and training courses as well as activities aimed at older people are providing literally cradle to grave support. These vibrant community hubs are also places which children, young people and families can use during times of personal difficulty. Whether during bereavement, unemployment or periods of loneliness the centre is always there to provide support

Over one million people now have access to a Family Resource Centre – and I want to see this number increase. In Budget 2018 I committed the Government would do more. Today I begin honouring that promise.” 

Mr McBride added: “Family Resource Centres are a vital part of our service delivery. Evidence demonstrates that wrap-around support, at a local level is the best way to create and sustain resilient children, families and communities. The universal accessibility of FRCs allows for early identification of need, provision of appropriate interventions, in line with Tusla’s PPFS model of service delivery this may also include timely referrals to appropriate services for more intensive and targeted work as required.”

Funding applications can be made via the Tusla website: www.tusla.ie/services/family-community-support/family-resource-centres/